FFA boss David Gallop has rated the Socceroos’ World Cup campaign a “win”.
The Socceroos ended the tournament without a single point from their three group games after going down 3-0 to reigning world champions Spain in Curitiba early on Tuesday morning (AEST).
But Gallop said he was encouraged by their performances in Brazil under coach Ange Postecoglou, who has been at the helm barely eight months.
“Today was a tough day at the office, but by and large there’s been a lot of positives to come out of this tournament,” the Football Federation Australia chief told Sky Sports Radio on Tuesday.
“We made a big change last November, to get in a new coach and start the regeneration of the team.
“There’s always been an eye on the future and I think having the guys together for an intense period like this, of weeks against high quality opposition, it can only be a good thing for the future.
“I think it’s been a win.”
Gallop said with a number of young players now blooded and a handful of others – including Robbie Kruse, Rhys Williams and Curtis Good – to return from injury, the outlook was positive ahead of next year’s Asian Cup and qualification for the 2018 World Cup.
“They’re going to be at the height of their powers next time there’s a World Cup,” he said.
“And we’ve also got a guy up the front who couldn’t play today, but he sort of set the tournament alight with that goal against Holland in Tim Cahill.
“I reckon you’ll be seeing more of him as well.”
Gallop, attending his first World Cup as FFA CEO, said he expects superstar Cahill to be in the mix for the Asian Cup, which Australia will host next January.
“I don’t think he’s got any retirement plans,” he added.
Roarfan
Guest
Midfielder I could not agree with you more. We were just not good enough but did us proud
AZ_RBB
Guest
Random and off topic. But Sth Melbourne were knocked out of the FFA Cup tonight meaning that they won't be competing in the main rounds against A-League teams.
Brick Tamland of the pants party
Guest
Brian Saying the "bottom line" is that we didn't win any games is a very simple way to look at it and something I expect from someone who hops on board every 4 years to say not someone who obviously is a fan like yourself.Those who follow the national side 24/7 365 know that this is the start of a new cycle not the end product of the last one and in that regard I agree with Gallop it has been a win.
Qantas supports Australian Football
Guest
And you were in awe of the NZ manager saying how well he organised his team... (lol) You are an amazing character Fad..!!!
Knoxy
Guest
For someone who is supposedly very happy, you sure do have a massive chip on your shoulder Fuss.
Lionheart
Guest
umm, yes, but you know what I mean. Qantas pulled out as the major sponsor pre world cup, and they were looking for a replacement.
Midfielder
Guest
J With Musky, Tiatto, Burns, Grella & Moore in the side we may not always finish with 11 players but they sure would know they have played ...
Jaydiggy86
Guest
HA!
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
Total = CHI + NED + ESP (Figures rounded to nearest 100k) Total = 3.6 m CHI = 2.3 NED = 0.8 ESP = ? Using basic algebra transposition ESP = Total - (CHI + NED) = 3.6 - 2.3 - 0.8 = 0.5m Note: These figures do not include SBS online & SBS app video streaming, which is averaging at 0.5m/day.
Johnno
Guest
Love it Mid And get Tony Vidmar, and Scott Mcdonald on the bench lol. And Mile Sterjovski and Johhny Aloisi.
ak
Roar Guru
Given 8 goals. Did not get a point. Now that is a great performance.
AR
Guest
The Chile game (8am) had a combined FTA average of 2.2M. The Holland game (2am) had a combined average of 769k. The Spain game...?...anyone?
Midfielder
Guest
This is Vince & Q's & Johnno's side -----------------Bozza Neill------Musky---Moore------Chippfield ----------Grella---------Burns Emerton--------Cahill--------Tiatto ------------------Dukes
Midfielder
Guest
442 are reporting 6 Asian friendlies between now and the Asian Cup ...
Johnno
Guest
yoyo, Your right the A-league lagged behind fittness wise, but all the golden generation were playing in Europe and many in the top leagues, so they had the superior Euro fittness under there belts already under Guss, over the A-league straylyns. Im like you Ange has dissapointed me, his open abandonment of older players is galling. The Greeks,Germans,Russians all have taken older squads as have Brazil Heck Brazil's goalkeeper Julius Ceaser is a vetran playing for Toronto FC lol. We need to go back to a Euro coach, I'd love a Scolari a defensive dour expert, or a Capello, or the Greek coach, or a Paul Le Geun.
abbis maal
Guest
"the golden generation" blah blah blah. Yes they were the best we have produced so far but ffs they won two games over two tournaments and both in the group. Maybe silver or bronze though group wins don't get medals do they.
yoyo
Guest
The so called "golden generation" is a myth. They just had a really good coach with top level European experience and he made the players train very hard (fitness wise), because he could easily see that the Australian League played a much slower tempo than Uefa Champions League and World Cup. If the Socceroos wanna be competitive in the next World Cup they need a top level European or South American coach. Forget an A-League coach, that's just not good enough.
Qantas supports Australian Football
Guest
No such thing as jersey sponsor---FIFA will not allow it, but they do have our Qantas jet to fly them over to Brazil and back home.
ken oldman
Guest
J.B........fair comment which I acknowledge.......gee I wish we had this man still ,a "mad dog " for sure but loved the Socceroos and took no nonsense from the brass to the players.
Qantas supports Australian Football
Guest
And my point is Van Gaal overcame De Bosque with intelligent tactics on the day---did you see the possession stat at the halfway point. De Bosque's team were leading that stat by a long way.